Summer School 2010

Our Summer School for 2010 is finished but we have left the details here to show you an example of the classes and workshops that are held during 2-3 weeks of fun in January each year. 

Stitch Magic – Inspiration and Alteration  Maureen Hazlewood 2 days - 4 & 5 Jan

 We will be looking at altering both the canvas and stitches to change the traditional look of this embroidery technique. Samples will be stitches on various types of canvas which will also have its surface changed in creative ways. The canvas and the stitches will be added to and also cutaway to shapes other than the traditional squared off finish.

 

The major work will be developed as a sculptural/building piece, with inspiration coming from skylines, ornate roofs, etc.

 I hope that you will be inspired to experiment and play around with stitches, enlarge, thicken up, thin down, elongate, etc, using a variety of yarns. Who knows what gem of a stitch you can create! 

Print, Pad and Stitch Doris Gordon 2 days - 4 & 5 Jan

Print a little – pad a little – stitch a little or a lot. In this workshop we will look at printing different types of fabric with metallic paints to create an easy to embellish design. Different types of printing methods will be considered for suitability. Depending on the chosen design, the fabric may then be decorated and embroidered.

This begins as a simple workshop and your work can progress into a more complex piece of embroidery, using trinkets or handmade tassels, should you wish to develop it further.

“Audrey” Pulled Fabric Wall Hanging Chris Bell 2 days - 6 & 7 Jan

This classic design is worked traditionally “tone on tone”.The true lacy effect, created by the stitches, results in a delightful embroidery that is a pleasure to work. The second layer of linen has the design enlarged, and outlined in a darker thread, to create a shadow. The class sample is a wall hanging, but you may wish to make a different article and/or work in a different colour. 

Drawing with Karma Victoria Bains Karma Victoria Bains 3 days - 6,7 & 8 Jan

 For everyone who is interested in uncovering their ability to draw.

Draw = Mark making on a surface

Dialogue with a pencil, pen and other mark making implements. An intense 3 days at learning many ways of how to put on paper what you see and think.

Crazy Patchwork Bag  Carolyn Pearce 3 days - 8 and 11, 12 Jan

I wanted a small elegant bag suitable for an evening at the theatre or lunch with the girls, so I have created a black crazy patchwork gusseted tote bag with purchased black handles from Studio Mio.

The bag is foundation pieced using a variety of textures, black tones and charcoal fabrics, thus creating a background on which your embroidery stitches will glow. Definitely no laces or tizz!

You will learn how to foundation piece with a sewing machine and how to avoid awkward corners.

Create appliqué fans

Take simple stitches and embellish them

Ideas for spot motifs to embroider within a patch, using a variety of silk ribbon and needle lace flowers as well as tiny buttons and charms

Techniques to keep stitches even

Use of colour

This class is suitable for all levels of ability and ideal for beginners to practise their stitches.

Bird in the Hand Effie Mitrofanis 2 days - Sat 9 Jan and Sun 10 Jan 2010

A background collage made from plain coloured and exotic silks will be made first. It will feature a beaded bird stitched within the outline of your hand in gold thread. Design sources are your hand and your favourite bird which may be reduced or enlarged to the desired scale.
The 'bird in the hand' will be surrounded with stitches made from different types of threads and extended and multi-layered with beads, wrapping and metallic yarns.
make into a panel, bag, etc. A choice of unusual beads and silk fabrics will be available for sale at the class to supplement your supplies.

Reminiscences on a May Morris Embroidery – Autumn Tree

Avril Ambrose de Havilland 2 days - 9 & 10 Jan

This project can be a stand alone embroidery or worked as a complimentary follow-on from the popular May Morris Summer and Spring Tree classes.

Avril has designed and worked a panel based on the Autumn Tree depicted in an embroidery from the Guild Collection “The Morris Four Seasons Embroidery”. It has all the typical richness and flow of the William Morris style.

Hand dyed silky thread in “Morris Colours” and fine couched gold will be used to recreate the feel of the period and to produce an elegant panel (30cm x 20cm), comprising a large central tree covered in autumn foliage and fruits, with a carpet of seasonal plants beneath it. Stitches include Split Stitch, Shaded Chain, Satin and Stem Stitch as well as couched gold to make a piece of work reminiscent of the exquisite jewel coloured screens, hangings and table carpets of the period, stitched with gleaming silky thread and touched with gold.

The background fabric with hand drawn pattern in the traditional red ink style of the period and all the required threads will be provided in the kit accompanying this class.

Simple and elegant, this class is suitable for beginners.

Beaded Hardanger Bookcover Helen Harvey 2 days - 11 & 12 Jan

Make a cover for that special book using a technique that incorporates seed beads into the needle weaving. Learn how to adapt traditional hardanger stitches with beads. Suitable for intermediate to advanced. Some preparation work is needed before the lessons commence.
 

‘Chanel Model’  Mary Brown 2 days - 14 & 15 Jan

 The white gowns in the Spring/Summer 2009 Chanel Haute Couture Collection were the inspiration for Mary’s design for her 2010 Summer School project. The colour palette for the design is white and gold. The bodice of the model’s gown is worked in rows of turkey stitch using a white embroidery thread. The skirt is embellished with 3-D flowers worked in raised cup stitch. The centres of these flowers are created with pearls and metal purls. In the background there are alternate rows of step stitch and chain bars representing a wallpaper design. White embroidery threads and gold fibre-core metal threads are used for this work. The oval frame is worked with rows of surface stitching including a dot stitch intertwined with a gold fibre-core metal thread. Mary has used this design as an appliqué but it would look as equally wonderful if it were framed.

The work will be displayed in the Guild’s headquarters by early October 2009.

Jean Vere Workshop Wendy Schmid 1 day - 15 Jan

 Spend a wonderful day studying a piece of embroidery from The Collection.

Some pieces just speak to you and you want to know more about them. Sometimes it is the design, sometimes the stitches or the colour combinations. Choose a piece you love or one from the list.

This year The Jean Vere Study Group has spent time with several pieces from The Collection.

Pat Langford “Tristram”
Jean Vere “Snowgums”
E. Biddlecombe “Banksias”

Band with beading, sequins and embroidery

If you would like to spend a day with one of these pieces, or a piece of your choice, I am happy to lead you through a process that has worked for us. This is a very open process and can be modified to your needs at any stage. It suits traditional and contemporary works. You will need a notebook and pencils, fabric and thread and usual sewing supplies. Magnifiers can be useful for some pieces.

All fees for this workshop will go towards the Building Fund.

Crewelwork Jewellery Roll Margaret Light 2 days - 16 & 17 Jan

Surface stitchery provides the embroiderer with the opportunity to experiment with colour and texture, using an infinite variety of stitches and variations. This practical and compact jewellery roll is stitched with fine, one ply wools on black linen, and finished with a twisted cord trim and ties. Traditional and less commonly used crewel stitches are mixed and layered throughout the design, which reflects Elizabethan and Jacobean influences. The rich colours of the wools will complement the treasure you will store amongst the 3 folds of the roll. It has a fitted interior, with zippered pockets and secure storage for smaller items – perfect for travel or everyday use. Finished size 18 x 27 cm (9 x 18cm folded). Skill level – Intermediate plus. A kit will be available for this class, which includes fabric, backing fabric, threads, design and patterns, embroidery, making up and stitch instructions, with full colour photos.

Growing Stitches Kath Wilkinson 2 days - 16 & 17 Jan

This class is a combination of painting with threads, techniques using machine and hand embroidery and free style appliqué. Backgrounds will be laid down using pieces of fabric, yarns and threads to achieve brush stroke like effects. The sewing machine will then be used to quickly secure the background fabrics. It is up to the individual after that as to whether machine and/or hand embroidery are used. Particular attention will be paid to the selection of fabrics and threads, as the embroidery will be used to highlight certain areas and integrate others. Elements and principles of design will be considered in planning where and how to use your stitching to highlight certain areas, create texture and use colour. Stitches will be used creatively, overlaid, distorted and even overstitched, to build in rich textural effects. An image will be used as a reference point for the embroidery. You can bring your own or there will be some images available if you prefer.

Copyright © The Embroiderers' Guild NSW Inc.